Deadline to get health care looms

Walk-ins to use computers, counselors by reservations available Saturday in Macomb

By Nick Draperndraper@McDonoughVoice.com

Those that have yet to enroll in a health care plan should do so, or check their exemption status, before the March deadline or risk facing tax penalties.

Open enrollment for health insurance will end on March 31 and those who have not completed enrollment could incur a fine of $95 per person in the household or 1 percent of the resident’s annual household income, whichever is higher.

According to Lynette Cale, public health administrator with the McDonough County Health Department, there are some exemptions, but even those that feel they are exempt should check with the Affordable Care Act's healthcare.gov hotline or a counselor.

“If they were wondering if they were exempt, they should call,” Cale said. “I would hate for somebody to assume they were exempt and then get fined.”

Those with all of their paperwork can still enroll online via getcoveredillinois.gov, by seeking a counselor at the McDonough Health Department, or through a private health insurance broker.

Special events geared at getting people signed up before the deadline, such as “Get Covered Illinois Day” on Saturday, March 22, are another option for the uninsured as well. In Macomb, people can seek help getting signed up at the "Get Covered" event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 400 E. Carroll St., this Saturday.

According to Will Wetzel, First Presbyterian’s mission and youth staff coordinator, there will be 10 computers available as well as counselors from the health department, though a spot with a counselor must be reserved.

“We work with a lot of people who don’t have health insurance,” Wetzel said. “We want to help people to get signed up, we feel it’s the right thing to do. People need to have the option to get coverage and with the deadline coming up it’s sort of a last ditch effort.”

Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Wetzel implored to reserve sooner rather than later as there are only roughly 15 spots available. Walk-ins are welcome to use the computer, however.

Fines will show up on the following year’s taxes, according to Cale.

For more information about getting covered before the deadline, contact the health department at 309-837-9951. To inquire about reservations at “Get Covered Illinois Day,” contact Will Wetzel at 309-833-3333.

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